The Family: A Proclamation to the World

About a year before my mom died, she excitedly told me that President Hinckley had read a proclamation in the Relief Society broadcast. She was so excited that this had been introduced to the women of the church first. Little did we know at that time how important it would be as the years went by. At the time of her death, it was still a new thing that was being read here and there if someone found a copy of it. 

In a short time, we were given pamphlets that had this important proclamation printed in it in our church meetings, members were buying nicer copies and framing and hanging them in there households, and parts of it were being quoted in talks about families and parental responsibilities. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (a.k.a. Mormons), this one page document became an integral part of our doctrine.
When my ex-husband decided to leave the Church, I started struggling with this simple doctrine. I felt like it was telling me there was little hope for me and my family. When the marriage was ended, it felt like I was doomed. Even after I married a wonderful man who could help me realize the true blessings of marriage, I still struggled with this simple document.
In August, during a Family Home Evening lesson taught by the missionaries, my eyes were open to the beauty of this proclamation. We read this in its entirety. I am not sure I had done that in the past(if I had it had been a part of a Sunday School or Relief Society lesson where there were many distractions).
As the missionaries, Chad, and I read paragraph by paragraph, I really paid attention. We got to the second to last paragraph:
    We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disinigration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
All of a sudden, I felt a release. I felt like this paragraph was telling me that the decision to file for divorce was the right decision for my family.
This simple small paragraph gave me permission to do as I knew in my heart I needed to do for my family without the permission of the kids' dad. I no longer had to feel guilty for bringing my wonderful husband into our family. He is the husband and father figure this family needs. He is the male role model my kids need. 

Associates Degree? Yes, please!

I finally got it! I finished classes in July, and a few days ago this was delivered by UPS:

I went trough a lot in the process of earning this degree. It took me 5 years to complete. In that 5 years I faced a lot of trials and triumphs. This degree is physical proof that I can overcome what is put before me. There are people who encouraged me and kept me going, of course. Without them, I would have given up. My sister was my cheerleader from the day I told her I signed up for classes and even gave me a place to study  on the lonely weekends after my divorce when I needed it. My friends, Melissa and Suzi, continually told me I was smart enough (the words I REALLY needed to hear prior to and during my divorce). My wonderful husband encouraged me and supported even before we started dating to continue working even though I didn't think I had it in me. He was there for me when I was kicked out due to my grades, and when I decided I would fight to get back in and finish. He was there for me when it was getting late on Saturday nights (the nights my assignments were due) to remind me that I was good enough and deserved to finish. Many times he told me that I was too good to give up. I frustrated him, he frustrated me, but he never let me quit. 

Birthday Week for My Boy

Chad will be working out of town for most of the week. This means he will be getting home late on Sean's birthday (Thursday). Since Chad was so excited to see Sean's face when he opened his presents, we let him open the gift we got him as well as the gifts Chad's parents and brother gave him today. Later this week, we will take him out for his birthday lunch/dinner and he gets to pick our family activity for the weekend. (We only get them one or two weekends out of the month, so we try to make them count.)

Always Changing

There have been a lot of changes in my family in the past few months. I started a new job, Sean attended he last year of Cub Scout Day Camp, and Chad was ordained an Elder in June. I turned 36 (yes, I am being honest about my age), Eric went to Boy Scout Camp for the first time, and we went on a family trip in July. The kids started their first day of 7th, 5th, and 3rd grade in August. As always, there will continue to be changes in this family we just don't always know what they will be.
The job change was a necessary thing. I was working at Convergys and becoming more miserable every day, and the kids were not doing behaving well being at home alone all day once summer began. After speaking to my manager about the signs that the site was going to be closing, I decided that I was being lead in a different direction. I applied at several positions, prayed to find the right job to fit our family's needs, and was hired within a week and a half of applying at Network Global Logistics as a dispatcher. I now work the graveyard shift so that I can be home for my kids, and I feel like my work is actually making a difference in people's lives.
Seeing my sweet boy attend his last year of day camp was bittersweet. He had a lot of fun, and I got to be a part of that for a day. However, this does mean that my sweet little boy is growing up WAY too fast.
When Chad and I were married two and a half years ago it was with the understanding that he was "never" going to be the priesthood holder that most Latter Day Saint women desire to marry. Because of my experiences with my ex-husband, I didn't want that either. Someone else had different plans for us. It is nice to have such a loving, caring man in my life who is teaching me by the example that he sets for the entire family.
Turning 36 was hard. It meant I had been here on Earth just as long without my mom and brother as I was with them. I got through it, though. My husband, kids, and friends are amazing! The gospel is amazing! I would have been miserable on my birthday if I didn't have so many blessings in my life.
Eric survived his first full week (Monday through Friday) without his family. When he returned home on Saturday, we held each other and cried tears of joy. (I imagine it will be this way when I am reunited with my mom and brother someday.) He had a lot of fun and learned may things. He has a great scout leader that helped him get through being homesick and a best friend that was by is side for most of the time they spent there.
We went camping and fishing for the weekend as a family at the end of July. We had so much fun that we plan to do it again at least once next year (hopefully without the heavy wind).
Back to School Night came with the reality that my baby is now going to the big kids' hall at school. Somehow it is easier to have the oldest in middle school and the middle one in his last year of elementary. As I walked with the littlest of my clan across the hall from the middle one, tears welled up in my eyes. How can she be big enough for this already?
I love my family. I am glad that we get to grow and change together. Some changes are planned. Some are not as planned. Planned or not planned, we have been blessed in many ways.